Dubai: Before you head off for your summer holiday and fly to your dream destination, here’s a quick checklist to keep your house safe and your utility bills to a minimum this summer.
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (Dewa) has launched its annual ‘Tips before Travelling’ campaign as part of its efforts to raise awareness on the sensible use of electricity and water, reducing waste, and following safety guidelines.
Now in its fifth year, the move is part of Dewa’s annual ‘Let’s Make this Summer Green’ campaign.
Since many families leave the UAE during summer for long periods of time, ensuring that these guidelines are kept will not only conserve natural resources but also give residents peace of mind.
“As part of its role as a socially-responsible government organisation, Dewa puts environmental protection and sustainability of natural resources at the forefront of its priorities. We organise an integrated set of initiatives, programmes and activities throughout the year to raise awareness about the importance of rationalising energy and water use and adopting a conscious and sustainable lifestyle,” said Khawla Al Mehairi, Vice-President of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Dewa.
Amal Koshak, Senior Manager of Marketing Communications at Dewa, said the tips are quick and easy to do and beneficial.
“Simple tips that can be followed at home before travelling for summer vacations are a quick and effective way to protect natural resources, reduce costs, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. For example, not repairing a small leak in the kitchen that wastes one drop of water each second, could lead to wasting 32,000 gallons of water per year,” Koshak said.
Toilets can account for almost 30 per cent of all indoor water use, more than any other fixture or appliance, according o Dewa. But even more worrisome is an average of 20 per cent of toilets leak. It is better then to check toilets periodically for leaks and repair them promptly before leaving UAE.
If you have a swimming pool which and don’t want to drain it, cover it to reduce evaporation. An average size pool left uncovered can lose as much as 1,000 gallons (3,785 litres) of water per month.
